With their recоrd-breаking 10-yeаr, $700 milliоn deаl fоr Shоhei оhtаni, the Lоs аngeles Dоdgers cаught the оffseаsоn’s biggest fish.

This past season, the two-way superstar smashed 44 home runs in 135 games, which was the most in the American League. He also won his second consecutive unanimous MVP award.

Ohtani hopes to continue his historic career with the Dodgers after an impressive debut with the Angels. Although he will not be pitching for the Dodgers this season, the 29-year-old will play every day as designated hitter and be in the starting lineup for at least one game.

Ohtani, who is about to embark on his seventh Major League Baseball season overall, has stated that he plans to treat his first with the Dodgers like a rookie, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:

“I’m on a brand new team so I’m going to act like a rookie and try to get along with all the guys and my teammates,” Ohtani said through his interpreter.

Ohtani has gotten a head start on Spring Training by being one of the first Dodgers players to report to Camelback Ranch and by hitting balls against a pitching machine.

Ohtani was upbeat about returning to the Dodgers lineup for the 2024 season opener, the March 20-21 Seoul Series, when questioned about his health at DodgerFest.

“I’m very confident because we’re right on schedule,” he remarked, speaking through interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. Neither are we ahead nor behind. Ohtani assured everyone that they are on track. I should be prepared, therefore, provided that nothing goes wrong from here on out.

In the recruitment films, Shohei Ohtani “had a great laugh.”During Ohtani’s free agency, Joe Kelly’s wife Ashley launched a social media campaign with the hashtag “Ohtake17” and shared a plethora of videos and messages. After Ohtani’s official signing with the Dodgers, Kelly ended up presenting him with his No. 17.